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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried about what nursery have said

23 replies

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 18:14

DS is 3

He has fallen at Pre-school today. They have said he seems to fall often and they have noticed he never puts his arms out to break his fall.

They have also said he bumps into things a lot and seems to look down at his feet when he walks

It's not something DH and I have noticed, but they said they've been watching him for a few weeks to be sure before the raised it.

I am going to see the Health Visitor to see what she thinks and do some activities to work on his balance and reflexes but now I am worried (PFB) that this is a sign of some underlying disorder or issue

Does anyone have any experience of this or know what it might mean. Or is it just normal? He is very bright so I think his mental development is great (and nursery agree) but now I'm worried about his physhical development :(

OP posts:

ApocalypseThen · 26/03/2015 18:22

Are they suggesting dyspraxia?

Ginmartini · 26/03/2015 18:25

I don't have experience but am holding your hand and asking you to just stay calm and don't panic. I thought dyspraxia too.

Most people have crosses to bear - dyspraxia, dyslexia, bad eye sight, crippling shyness, acne, there's nearly always a 'thing'. One of my children has a stammer - he's 16 now and we thought it would get better. It didn't but he's a happy bloke. I'm rambling but I feel for you and can sense your panic and dread

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 18:30

I did think Dyspraxia. They've not put a name to it.

I'll do a bit of googling. :(

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Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 18:31

And thank you GIn for the kind words and thoughts

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gobbin · 26/03/2015 18:38

My DS was the same at around 18 months to 2 yrs - he often tripped and when he did he would fall head-hands and always had bumps and bruises. He hasn't got dispraxia and is a well-coordinated sporty teen. In fact, we suspected his then CM of walking him too fast during school pickups for older kids and him not getting his feet in the right order, if you see what I mean. It was just a phase. Maybe your DS is just lacks a bit of spatial awareness or maybe his eyesight isn't brill? Good idea to raise it with your HV, hopefully it's something insignificant.

potbellyroast · 26/03/2015 18:38

They won't be able to put a name to it, they won't be allowed to I think - your health visitor should refer you to an occupational therapist.

My DS is an excellent sportsman but when he went to community paediatrician, which he needed to as part of the statement ing process she asked him to hop on one leg. I was astounded when he couldn't do it and she referred him to OT. OT was as to why paed had referred him to her. She did test anyway and found he had poor fine motor skills (had and still does have beautiful handwriting) so got a diagnosis of moderate dyspraxia.

What I'm trying to say is - it's not that easy to diagnose and can have lots of differing strands to it.

mikado1 · 26/03/2015 18:43

He could also be going through a growth spurt the last few weeks and be awkward as a result-can you ever remember him putting his hands out? Also I know of a few children who were v bright and it took a few years for their body and mind to grow 'in tune' with one another. In montessori they talk about the importance of the head and the hand being in tandem. Dyspraxia of course springs to mind and if it is, brilliant that it has been picked up so early. Best of luck to you and him x

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 18:46

Maybe he's just too excited at pre-school by everything that's going on to pay attention

Still. I will get it checked and try not to worry. Although I'm not doing very well at that bit.

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BuffyFairy · 26/03/2015 18:52

I could have written your post OP.

DD(3.5) has always fallen a lot to the extent my Dad asked if it was normal. I thought she was just clumsy but since starting nursery in January they've expressed concern at the amount of times she falls over. They've said it is noticeably more than the other children and that sometimes she falls while standing still.

I had a telephone consultation with a GP today and they want me to bring her in so that they can check her ears and gait.

I'm trying not to worry.

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 18:57

Here's hoping both our DCs are just being a little bit clumsy Buffy

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YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 26/03/2015 19:14

Catgirl, has he had hearing and eye tests?

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 20:10

No - not since he was very little and they did the standard ones. Just at birth I think. I don't think it was checked at his 2 year check.

I am very short sighted so that could be it.

His ears go red a lot though there never seems to be an infection (he never says they are sore, has a temp or fluid), but they go red and hot so I am wondering if there is a problem there possibly as well.

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Naty1 · 26/03/2015 20:53

My dd almost 3 seems to fall a lot, though really only when on reins walking in street so distracted or tired, getting too close to pushchair etc. she does i think put hands down but knees hit first.
I think well fitting shoes that maybe have a thinner more flexible sole(she had been in trainers and boots)
Eyesight- you can get that checked.
(Dd does now have glasses)
Maybe its something going on at nursery as i would think you would also get it at home
Is it in garden running around or inside not navigating toys other kids leave around?

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 26/03/2015 23:42

It seems to be bashing in to bikes and trolleys in the garden at pre-school.

I really haven't noticed it at home and he runs around like a March Hare most of the time. His fine motor skills seem really good - scissors, holding crayons, building little toys etc

OP posts:

BuffyFairy · 27/03/2015 08:26

catgirl.

Her fine motor skills sound like your son's. She can build with Lego, draw stick people and use scissors.

On the other hand she knocks things over a lot as well as falling. Every mealtime her cup will be knocked over or crockery ends up on the floor. Always accidental. Nursery mention the frequency of this too.

We should get an appointment with the GP in the next couple of weeks.

Her hearing seems fine to me. She answers when her back is to me and her speech is very good.

She does snore though. Is that linked to glue ear or just adenoids?

She has been wearing a lot of thicker soles shoes / boots over winter but falls over a lot barefoot too.

YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 27/03/2015 12:10

I would definitely get his eyes checked. One of my DDs was like that at that age, she was extremely short sighted like I am. I remember the optician saying to me that the fact she didn't break her falls, indicated an eye issue rather than a clumsiness, as she didn't "see" the obstacle so didn't have time to react. This was a good few years ago though!

Hopefully it is something minor like that.

TheToadLessTravelled · 27/03/2015 12:19

Had a similar situation with ds1 and it was diagnosed with hyper mobility. He was able to fall over standing still due to his loose joints so a rowdy free play at nursery always ended in a fall. He seems to be growing out of it finally. Worth checking while at gp

post · 27/03/2015 12:32

Some children I've known have had red ears as a reaction to foods; my ds has autism, and he, and several peers at a school with lots of dyspraxia etc had food sensitivities.
The red ears was often a warning sign for us that he's had something he shouldn't; in his case, gluten or some additives, and I've heard other parents say the same. Not that it's necessarily relevant to your ds, but maybe worth looking for any patterns? Sometimes it can make a real difference.

LittleMissIntrovert · 27/03/2015 12:39

I agree with getting the eyes checked.

Also the growth spurt thing too, my 2 get very clumsy and eat constantly when they have a growth spurt, apparantly its because they are a little bit taller and aren't quite used to it!

It could also be he is having so much fun that he is just running about and isn't concentrating, if I'm distracted I'm very clumsy. I have a crush on someone and every time I see them I become so uncoordinated it's embarrassing!

No harm getting it checked out though, and good that nursery are observant and spot things.

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 27/03/2015 13:36

Thanks all - it sounds like there are so many things it could be

I'm going to ring the Drs at 2pm to make an appointment with the health visitor.

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BackforGood · 27/03/2015 13:49

Definitely worth getting his hearing checked, his eyesight checked, and, funnily enough, ensuring he has well fitting shoes - no, seriously, I've come across a little boy in Nursery who was always falling and it was all resolved by his new shoes!

PrettyPenguin · 27/03/2015 14:09

Definitely get eyesight and hearing checked out as a precaution.

My DD, who is now almost 6, from the moment she started walking would fall over a lot. Her forehead or nose would always hit the ground before her hands so for about 2 years she had an almost permanently bruised forehead and scraped nose. She actually has a scar on her nose now! She doesn't fall over as much any more, but does still fall over more than I think a child her age should! It's about 50/50 whether her hands or head hit the floor first. She also knocks stuff over quite a lot! However her fine motor skills are phenomenal and she's very very bright. It's never occurred to me that she might be dyspraxic. Perhaps I ought to ask next time we are at the doctors. Her hearing and eyesight are excellent so that's not the reason for her falling over.

Is your DC very petite? I ask because my DD is and I often wonder if that's the reason she falls over a lot (not sure why though!) as my other DC are tall and a lot more robust. Having said that, my eldest often gets a lot more clumsy during a growth spurt - as she gets used to her longer stride etc

Original poster

catgirl1976 · 27/03/2015 18:03

No pretty. He's on the 91st percentile for weight and 99th for height so he's a chunk :( It's not that

OP posts:

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